Astrophysical Lasers

by Letokhov, Vladilen; Johansson, Sveneric

• ISBN13: 9780199548279
• ISBN10: 0199548277
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-02-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Progress in modern radio astronomy led to the discovery of space masers in the microwave range, and it became a powerful tool for studies of interstellar star-forming molecular clouds. Progress in observational astronomy, particularly with ground-based huge telescopes and the space-based Hubble Space Telescope, has led to recent discoveries of space lasers in the optical range. These operate in gas condensations in the vicinity of the mysterious star Eta Carinae (one of the most luminous and massive stars of our Galaxy). Both maser and laser effects, first demonstrated under laboratory conditions, have now been discovered to occur under natural conditions in space, too. This book describes consistently the elements of laser science, astrophysical plasmas, modern astronomical observation techniques, and the fundamentals and properties of astrophysical lasers. A book with such an interdisciplinary scope has not been available to date. The book will also be useful for a wider audience interested in modern developments of the natural sciences and technology.

Author Biography

Vladilen Letokhov
Head of Laser Spectroscopy Department
Institute of Spectroscopy , Russian Academy of Sciences
Troitsk, Russia
V.S. Letokhov. Graduation with Nobel Prize winner N. Basov in P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute. Founder (1970) and Head of Laser Spectroscopy Department, Institute of Spectroscopy, Troitsk. Visiting Professor of many Universities in USA, France, etc. Tage Erlander Professor (2000) in Lund University. Doctor Honoris Causa of University Paris-Nord and Lund University. Editor and member of editorial board of dozen international scientific journals (in various periods). Member of European Academy of Arts and Science, European Academy, Max Planck Society etc. Author of 850 scientific publications and 13 monographs. Awards: Lenin State Prize for Science and Technology (1978); Quantum Electronics Prize of European Physical Society (1998) etc.
Sveneric Johansson
Head of Atomic Astrophysics Division, Institute of Astronomy
Lund University, Sweden
S. Johansson. Graduation with Professor Edlen, Lund University. Guest Scientist at NASA/GSFC and University of Maryland, USA. Head of Atomic Astrophysics Division, Institute of Astronomy, Lund University, President of Commission of International Astronomical Union (2003-2006). Author 150 scientific publications and 2 monographs. Awards: Wallmarska Prize of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Elements of radiative quantum transitions

Elements of atomic spectroscopy

Elementary excitation processes in rarefied gas plasma

Astrophysical rarefied gas plasma

Elements of laser physics

General introduction to an astrophysical lasers

Basics of collisionally-pumped astrophysical lasers

Basics of optically-pumped astrophysical lasers

Anomalous spectral effects in the Weigelt blobs of Carinae

Astrophysical laser on the Fe II lines

Astrophysical laser in the OI line 8446 A line

Narrowing of spectral line of astrophysical lasers

Possibility of scattering feedback in astrophysical masers/lasers

Nonlinear optical effects in astrophysical conditions

Conclusion: laser and interstellar communications

Appendices: Useful hints

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